Australia's performing arts earned $733.4 million during 2006-07, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The main sources of income for Australia's 726 performing arts businesses/organisations were box office takings (49%) and government funding (24%).

Performing Arts

employed 6,569 people at the end of June 2007. Nearly half were employed as performing artists (3,249 people).

gave 43,460 paid performances, with over 12 million people paying to attend various live theatrical or musical presentations during 2006-07. Drama productions had the highest attendance, at just over a quarter (26%) of the total.

New South Wales accounted for half of total income and 38% of paid attendances.

Performing arts venue operators

There were 145 performing arts venue operators, running 189 venues with a total of 271 performing arts spaces at end June 2007; they:

generated $494 million in income; government funding accounted for just over one-third of this ($166 million).

hosted 20,819 performances - drama productions made up nearly a third (30%) of all performances, followed by musical theatre (15%).

Media Note: Performing arts businesses/organisations are those which were mainly engaged in providing live theatrical or musical presentations (including popular music, theatre, opera, ballet and drama). Performing arts and performing arts venue operators are distinct topics and should be reported separately.